| Author |
Message |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 2390
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 10:53 am: | |
The MBA's will probably make you more stuck, while you're getting work done, they're talking theory and in a text book dream world. ;)
UD was great, all classes were at night. 6-9 pm M thru R for 7 straight semesters. Part time SMU would of taken a little more than 3 years. My company paid up to $6,000 a year, otherwise I wouldn't of done it yet. Don't know about Phoenix, but the online stuff sounds shady, unless you just want it for the piece of paper and not the education. I had one online class where I never once met the professor or other students. I would say I learned about 50% less.
UTD has a really good program too. |
Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Member
Username: Jim_schad
Post Number: 301
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 9:28 am: | |
I was toying with the MBA thing as well Chris. Looked at the online version for convenience, but decided against it as it was still $20K+ and all the success stories I have heard are from the contacts you make while there so a good school is paramount in my mind.
Also gotta decide what you want to do with it. Do you want to work on wall street or for McKinsey or just get it to gain knowledge for yourself to run your own business?
Like Rob said, I have know about 3 or 4 who got mba's at current job and company does ZERO for them other than maybe pay for it, but no big promotions, no pay raises etc. They just got a smarter worker for the same salary.
I still think there is value to be had in obtaining one, but weigh your options and goals to decide. Hell, take your $20K-$50K and start your own business and hire mba's when you get stuck!
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Chris Pounds (Eggman)
New member
Username: Eggman
Post Number: 49
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 8:00 am: | |
Thanks everyone for your input. Several points to consider, certainly.
I am 90% leaning towards the executive MBA program where you continue to work at your job full-time. It might take a little bit longer, but the "opportunity costs" as Ross stated are much lower since you continue to be gainfully employed. And, finally, my work will probably pick up most - if not all - of the tab assuming I do well, of course.
Finally, thoughts on an online executive MBA program such as University of Phoenix? Rob - Haven't looked into SMU or UD yet, so I can't comment on their programs.
Thank you,
Chris. |
ross koller (Ross)
Member
Username: Ross
Post Number: 409
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 6:42 am: | |
i think it depends on many things. how old are you? what do u currently do? and where do u want to be in 5-10 years?
the only way i would go get an mba is if i thought i needed a field change, and the mba is the best way to do that.
otherwise you have to do some calculating. the opportunity cost of not working for 2 years; the cost of the school; the cost of living etc; and will you make that up down the road.
its not bad or good, it just depends on what you think it will do for you. education for the sake of it is not so useful imho. education for the sake of it plus being able get something out of it, whether thats contacts or ability, is useful.
so what are you trying to achieve in life, and will an mba get you there faster? |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member
Username: Craigfl
Post Number: 468
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 6:36 am: | |
I agree with Doody here but would like to add that a lot of MBAs I've known concentrate on the financial aspects of business more than how the business actually works and what makes it work better. While I agree the numbers are important, they are only a scorecard that show how you've done-- with the decisions you have made. Too often MBAs are the tail wagging the dog. If you understand all aspects of the business -- how they function, what makes businesses thrive -- happy customers, and how to motivate workers, your business will be sucessful.
Some MBA programs I've seen focus more on the business experience aspects and do try to accelerate this learning process. But I agree, these are things that you can learn on your own as fast as you would like -- as long as you are aware of them. |
Erich Walz (Deleteall)
Junior Member
Username: Deleteall
Post Number: 139
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 - 6:27 am: | |
Most law schools offer the ability to get your MBA at the same time, so in three years you'd walk out with a JD and an MBA. |
Mr. Doody (Doody)
Member
Username: Doody
Post Number: 521
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 10:47 pm: | |
there is very little you will learn in any MBA program that you can't learn in the trenches or on your own. furthermore, you can't really learn the real ins and outs of business in a classroom. it's not unlike law school - note that it's not called "lawyer school" it's called "law school". they teach you the laws, but you rare emerge knowing how to be a great lawyer.
if you are intent on getting an MBA my advice would be do so at one of the top-ranked schools in the country for two reasons: 1) people are really snooty about it and 2) as Ernesto pointed out, the most valuable output will be a network of good people.
as for it being particularly valuable in this business climate, that's BS. it's no more or less valuable today - except that maybe if you're in school for two years i guess you don't have to worry about finding a job in this market?
my two pennies.
doody. |
Ernesto (T88power)
Member
Username: T88power
Post Number: 805
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 10:28 pm: | |
I would not trade my MBA experience with anything in the world! The things I learned are priceless. But the most imporant thing is the group of people I got to interact with, people from all over the world with all sorts of different experiences. You get to take in all the information for yourself. It was really not that difficult, just A LOT of work - reading, writing, preparing for presentations, etc etc. I really did not study a lot, and did a lot of work with groups. For me, it was the best money I ever spent - well, the two years were kind of like a vacation from work :-).
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions!
Ernesto |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 2385
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 9:32 pm: | |
Career wise my MBA hasn't done anything for me. Education wise the MBA was just a repeat of my undergraduate education. Although Babson's undergrad was more structured after MBA programs than typical undergrad programs. Anyway, even with the above included, it was still very much worth it for my own piece of mind. You never know 100% what it will do for you until you do it.
I probably only spent a total of 20 hours outside of class for my entire MBA. There were quite a few group activities when we would meet before class or at lunch. Overall, just a time commitment for class.
I chose UD because it was close to my work and the overall program took me 9-12 months less than what SMU would of. If I had the time or money, I think SMU is the best MBA program in the area.
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Chris Pounds (Eggman)
New member
Username: Eggman
Post Number: 48
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - 5:53 pm: | |
All - There was an interesting article in the WSJ about continuing education; in particular, the value of pursuing and receiving an MBA in this particular business climate. Overall, the article was positive.
Just want to have members sound off on their thoughts about MBAs, pros/cons, relative worth of the degree, and the value/benefit of receiving one. Be it top-flight B-School or other. And what about the online experience of, say, University of Phoenix in the executive MBA program.
I am considering pursuing my MBA within the coming year, but am really concerned about the time it will take. In particular, the amount of time it will take to PROPERLY study for exams, doing essays, writing papers, researching, etc.
In retrospect, the undergraduate degree (class of '93; BBA/Finance) was valuable. Unfortunately at the time, I saw it more as an entry-level-qualification-piece-of-paper-type-of-thing. THIS TIME, I want to *really* grow and learn from the experience. Not that I didn't from the BBA, but, well, you know what I mean. I was younger then.
Thanks in advance,
Chris. |
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